Chad’s president cancels U.S. visit after rebel attacks

November 29, 2007 (WASHINGTON) — Attacks on Chadian troops protecting Darfur refugees have forced Chadian President Idriss Deby Itno to postpone a scheduled visit to the United States.

A statement issued by the Chadian Embassy in Washington said Deby had been planning a trip to New York, Atlanta, Houston and Washington this week but was forced to cancel his plans when Sudan-based rebels Monday attacked refugee camps in Hadjer Hadid in eastern Chad.

The statement said Deby’s planned visit to New York included a meeting with U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and the U.N. Security Council to reaffirm his commitment to ending the genocide in Darfur.

“He is committed to protecting vulnerable displaced Chadians and 250,000 refugees from Darfur who are sheltering in Chad, as well as European Union peacekeepers deployed within the country,” the statement said.

No new date for his trip was announced.

(UPI)